Today's game previews -- May 19

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides will attempt to sweep the Louisville Bats this afternoon, while the Double-A Bowie Baysox return to action against the Altoona Curve.

The Single-A Frederick Keys face the Lynchburg Hillcats, and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds look to snap their seven-game losing streak when they play the Hickory Crawdads this morning.

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Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Opponent

Louisville Bats (12:15 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Norfolk: Chris Waters (3-2, 5.02 ERA)

Louisville: Daryl Thompson (1-2, 7.40 ERA)

Notes

* In each of his past two starts for the Tides, Waters has pitched seven innings. The 28-year-old left-hander earned the win against the Syracuse Chiefs on May 14 after giving up three runs and four hits. He struck out six batters and issued two walks in Norfolk's 12-3 victory. Waters allowed one run and three hits in the Tides' 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Bisons on May 8.

* Thompson, who graduated from La Plata High School in 2003, struggled in his last start. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up five runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings during Louisville's 11-6 loss to the Durham Bulls. Thompson was 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA in three starts for the Cincinnati Reds last season.

* The Tides (25-12) are currently on a seven-game winning streak, which has allowed them to build a 2 1/2-game lead in the International League South Division. After six consecutive losses, Louisville (18-20) is 1/2 game behind the Columbus Clippers in the West Division.Bowie Baysox (AA)

Opponent

Altoona Curve (7:05 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Bowie: Troy Patton (3-1, 1.31 ERA)

Altoona: Daniel Moskos (2-2, 4.41 ERA)

Notes

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* Despite suffering a loss against the Akron Aeros in his last start on May 13, Patton continues to lead the Eastern League with a 1.31 ERA in six games for the Baysox. The 23-year-old left-hander allowed two runs and five hits in six innings during Bowie's 2-1 loss to the Aeros. Overall, opponents are batting .171 in 34 1/3 innings against Patton this season.

* The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Moskos with the fourth overall pick in the 2007 MLB draft, but the 23-year-old left-hander still hasn't lived up to the expectations that come with such a high choice. In 49 games (26 starts) in the minor leagues, Moskos is 9-9 with a 5.39 ERA. He earned the win in his last start after giving up two runs (one earned) and six hits in six innings against the Harrisburg Senators on May 13.

* After winning four out of five games against the Erie SeaWolves over the weekend, the Baysox improved to 17-18 this season. Bowie remains in fourth place in the Eastern League Southern Division. The Akron Aeros (27-8) are 10 games ahead of the Baysox. Altoona (12-24) is in fifth place in the division, 15 1/2 games behind the Aeros.

Frederick Keys (A)

Opponent

Lynchburg Hillcats (7 p.m.)

Probable pitchers

Frederick: Tim Bascom (3-3, 2.83 ERA)

Lynchburg: Ronald Uviedo (1-1, 3.47 ERA)

Notes

* Bascom started for Frederick on Sunday against the Kinston Indians, but he only threw four pitches before the game was suspended in the bottom of the first inning. So, the Keys decided to push all of their starting pitchers back one day and allow the 24-year-old right-hander to face Lynchburg. Bascom gave up two hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on May 12.

* On April 22, Uviedo allowed two hits and collected five strikeouts in five scoreless innings against the Keys in Lynchburg. The 22-year-old right-hander wasn't as successful in his last start. Uviedo gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings during the Hillcats' 6-5 victory over the Winston-Salem Dash.

* Despite last night's loss, Frederick is playing well lately. The Keys have won seven of their past nine games to climb to 17-20 this season. Frederick is in last place in the Carolina League Northern Division, trailing the first-place Hillcats (24-13) by seven games.

Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Opponent

at Hickory Crawdads (11 a.m.)

Probable pitchers

Delmarva: Oliver Drake (1-2, 3.51 ERA)

Hickory: Wilmer Font (2-0, 1.50 ERA)

Notes

* Drake's last start was suspended by rain after he threw 1 2/3 innings against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on May 9. So, the 22-year-old right-hander pitched two innings as a reliever against Greensboro on May 12. Drake allowed two runs (one earned) and four hits in Delmarva's 10-5 loss to the Grasshoppers. He has given up one earned run or less in four of his six outings so far this season.

* In eight games (five starts), Font is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA. The 18-year-old right-hander has collected 25 strikeouts and issued 16 walks in 24 innings this season. Font allowed four hits in five scoreless innings against the Lake County Captains in his last start on May 14. He earned the win after striking out six batters and issuing three walks.

* The Shorebirds are desperate for a victory after losing their past seven games. Delmarva is now 17-17 and in fifth place in the South Atlantic League Northern Division. The Shorebirds trail the division-leading Lakewood BlueClaws (21-15) by three games, while Hickory (19-18) is 2 1/2 games behind the BlueClaws.